Watch out when a wedding customer gets mad... at DVinfo.net

Jaime Espiritu · December 18th, 2009, 11:24 AM

When a videographer doesn't return phone calls to their clients, the customer can get pretty upset. They reported the video guy to the ABC7 consumer show in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Makes us legitimate videographers look bad...

See clip:

Videographer disappoints South Bay newlyweds - 12/10/09 - San Francisco News - abc7news.com

Don Bloom · December 18th, 2009, 12:34 PM

I've known some people like that-they don't respond to calls or emails. Bad not just for them but for all of us. Unfortunately we all get lumped together by some people.

It takes less time to respond than to avoid a call or email. When I get a call, if I'm in the middle of a client meeting I simply tell them I will call them back, set a time to do so and hold to that time. If it's an email I repond back with either the information OR tell them I will call them. How can you not!? At any given wedding there is at least 1 couple there that is engaged or going to be very soon and they too need vendors. Cheapest advertising there is. Don't respond to their friend and chances are you won't book the newly engaged couple. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Even if you know it's going to be an advesarial (sp) call, answer it. Better to face it now than to let it fester. In the clients mind the longer it take the worse it gets.

Answer the call, answer the email, even if you've got notheing new to tell them RESPOND. It's only good business.

BTW, the only time I don't answer my cell phone is when I'm shooting a job. Otherwise I do. Isnt that why we have them? Phones now can not only answer calls but get email as well. Why have it if you're not going to use it.

If it sounds like I'm aggrivated about this sort of thing I am. Think about when you are trying to get ahold of someone and they keep ducking you.

OK enough. (Off my soapbox) ;-)

Joel Peregrine · December 18th, 2009, 01:52 PM

"...but he didn't have an address for Duran nor did he have a contract."

Dave Blackhurst · December 18th, 2009, 04:33 PM

And if you read the story, the news crew tracked him down and left a message with "his parents..." He looks like a 17 year old with a fancy camera from the picture in the story. The brief clips looked to be shakycam/unmotivated zoom style shooting to top it off. Caling a kid with a camera a "videographer" is a LOOOOONG stretch, IMO.

Anyone care to lay odds that the other side of this story involves Craigslist?? And I notice no mention is made of the price paid. I somehow wonder if the phrase "you get what you pay for" applies?

Moral of the story, hire a professional and be willing to pay a reasonable price - a pro would have explained timelines and delivery, and this wouldn't have been "news" (which it barely is...)

Eugene Brown · December 18th, 2009, 08:12 PM

You don't understand how much people like this upset me! ugghhh! Like it was said earlier, this kind of stuff makes us all look like idiots!

December 18th, 2009, 11:24 AM	#1
Jaime Espiritu Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 154	Watch out when a wedding customer gets mad... When a videographer doesn't return phone calls to their clients, the customer can get pretty upset. They reported the video guy to the ABC7 consumer show in the San Francisco Bay Area. Makes us legitimate videographers look bad... See clip: Videographer disappoints South Bay newlyweds - 12/10/09 - San Francisco News - abc7news.com __________________ Creative Video. Excellent Service Last edited by Jaime Espiritu; December 18th, 2009 at 11:28 AM. Reason: insert website

December 18th, 2009, 12:34 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I've known some people like that-they don't respond to calls or emails. Bad not just for them but for all of us. Unfortunately we all get lumped together by some people. It takes less time to respond than to avoid a call or email. When I get a call, if I'm in the middle of a client meeting I simply tell them I will call them back, set a time to do so and hold to that time. If it's an email I repond back with either the information OR tell them I will call them. How can you not!? At any given wedding there is at least 1 couple there that is engaged or going to be very soon and they too need vendors. Cheapest advertising there is. Don't respond to their friend and chances are you won't book the newly engaged couple. It just doesn't make sense to me. Even if you know it's going to be an advesarial (sp) call, answer it. Better to face it now than to let it fester. In the clients mind the longer it take the worse it gets. Answer the call, answer the email, even if you've got notheing new to tell them RESPOND. It's only good business. BTW, the only time I don't answer my cell phone is when I'm shooting a job. Otherwise I do. Isnt that why we have them? Phones now can not only answer calls but get email as well. Why have it if you're not going to use it. If it sounds like I'm aggrivated about this sort of thing I am. Think about when you are trying to get ahold of someone and they keep ducking you. OK enough. (Off my soapbox) ;-) __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

December 18th, 2009, 01:52 PM	#3
Joel Peregrine Major Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 689	"...but he didn't have an address for Duran nor did he have a contract." __________________ WeddingFilms.com>>

December 18th, 2009, 08:12 PM	#5
Eugene Brown Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 37	You don't understand how much people like this upset me! ugghhh! Like it was said earlier, this kind of stuff makes us all look like idiots! __________________ 2Duce2 Videography \| Blog \| Twitter

December 18th, 2009, 04:33 PM	#4
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	And if you read the story, the news crew tracked him down and left a message with "his parents..." He looks like a 17 year old with a fancy camera from the picture in the story. The brief clips looked to be shakycam/unmotivated zoom style shooting to top it off. Caling a kid with a camera a "videographer" is a LOOOOONG stretch, IMO. Anyone care to lay odds that the other side of this story involves Craigslist?? And I notice no mention is made of the price paid. I somehow wonder if the phrase "you get what you pay for" applies? Moral of the story, hire a professional and be willing to pay a reasonable price - a pro would have explained timelines and delivery, and this wouldn't have been "news" (which it barely is...)